Sheffield Wednesday fan Ian Toothill praises fierce rivals United for giving him the strength to conquer Everest
Personal trainer raised more than £35k for charity after being the first cancer patient to scale the world's highest mountain
IAN TOOTHILL has thanked Sheffield United for giving him the strength to conquer Everest – even though he is a Wednesday fan!
The personal trainer, 47, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in June 2015.
Defiant Toothill decided, in the years he had left, to scale the world’s highest mountain – the first cancer patient to accomplish the feat.
It was a difficult, dangerous expedition – in which he battled hyperthermia, dehydration, snow blindness and losing most of his equipment.
But he doggedly completed the journey and, buoyed by one £1,000 donation, he even planted a United flag at the 8,848m summit.
A SunSport Football video of his historic trip was played at Bramall Lane yesterday before United’s 1-0 Championship win over Brentford.
And Toothill thanked the Bramall Lane club for their encouragement and inspiration as he raised more than £35,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Support – despite the fact he is an ardent Owl.
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Toothill, who now lives in London, said: “Sheffield United have been amazing. They donated a large amount of money. They donated a signed shirt.
“I was invited to the ground and I spoke to the fans, which raised more money.
“I will always be a Wednesday fan but I do really have a soft spot for Sheffield United.
“If it wasn’t for that rivalry, maybe all of it wouldn’t have happened.”
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